Motivo sentimental by Carlos Bahr

Motivo sentimental is a Tango written by Carlos Bahr and composed by Emilio Brameri.

Story behind the Tango Motivo sentimental

The song “Motivo sentimental” reflects a profound narrative, weaving the essence of tango into the fabric of personal heartache and emotional scars. The protagonist describes tango as being embedded in their life ‘like a claw,’ deeply entrenched in their emotions, illustrating the pain and influence of the music. Tango, identified as having the ‘bitter voice’ of the bandoneón, mirrors the character’s own bitter experiences of love lost and the enduring sadness that follows.

Symbolism of Motivo sentimental

Symoblism in “Motivo sentimental” is rich, most notably through the use of the bandoneón, whose ‘bitter voice’ symbolizes the relentless resonance of past sorrows and unhealed wounds. Phrases like “Through the buttonhole of the wound, which is a memory” encapsulate how past pain continues to influence the present, filtering experiences like music through the lens of old hurts. The recurring themes of sadness and nostalgia are enhanced by language that conveys deep personal loss and emotional trauma, transforming the tango into a vessel carrying the weight of the protagonist’s past.

Motivo sentimental in Historic Context

Recorded in 1944, during a turbulent period for Argentina involving political shifts and the rise of populism, “Motivo sentimental” captures the melancholic spirit commonly echoed in the arts of the time. The country’s complex socio-political landscape, intertwined with personal narratives, provided fertile ground for tango as an expression of public sentiment and private grief. The nostalgia and bitterness conveyed in the lyrics reflect a collective mourning for simpler times, making it a resonant piece for an audience living through uncertainty and change.

Carlos Bahr

Carlos Bahr was a noted Argentine lyricist known for his deep, evocative tango lyrics that often distilled complex emotions and reflections on human relationships.